Plant turns palm waste into organic fertilizer.

Shen (3rd left) with Mark (center) and other executives of the companies during the launch of Inno-Works scheme.

The ‘green’ venture, known as Inno-Works scheme, is aimed at providing palm oil mills with the recycling plant to treat all organic waste such as empty fruit bunches, decanter cake, suspended solid sludge, boiler ash and palm oil mill effluent in a controlled and sustainable manner.

The treated organic material would be fortified with beneficial and natural microbial formulation to produce a rich blend of pathogen-free bio-organic fertilizer for use by the surrounding plantations.

According to Inno Integrasi director Shen Lim, the integrated waste treatment and bio-organic fertilizer plant, designed to process both the solid waste and wastewater, came into commercial production in October this year.

“This first plant in Sabah and Malaysia is located next to Mewah Plantation and takes up an area of one hectare,” Shen said during the launch of the scheme on Monday.

“This plant consists of pre-treatment, post-treatment, composting, and curing areas,” he said

“After going through an accelerated composting process, the material is further cured and enhanced with a unique natural microbial formula before being bagged and recycled back to the surrounding plantations.

“A second plant for another plantation group in Tingkayu is currently under construction and expected to be commissioned in early 2011.”

Shen said the total compost processing time is 28 days, significantly lower than non-integrated windrow composting system that could take up to 72 days.

Meanwhile, Climate Change Capital, which is a partner and equity investor in the venture, said it is delighted to have supported the project and been able to contribute to Malaysia’s green growth story.

“We are very encouraged by the progress we’ve made in making this project a reality and we have every confidence that we can continue the operational success,” said its Carbon Finance head Mark Bell.